User:Rustle/Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo

Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo

Location

Sunshine City Alpa, Toshima City, Tokyo

Opened

April 25, 1998 (as Pokémon Center Tokyo)^[1]

Mascot(s)

Miraidon & Pikachu

Type

Permanent

Contact details

pokemon.co.jp/shop/pokecen/megatokyo/

(+81) 03-5927-9290

Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo is, along with Pokémon Center Osaka, the flagship Pokémon Center store. It originally opened as Pokémon Center Tokyo in April 1998, in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, and moved to Hamamatsuchō, Tokyo in July 2007. In December 2014, the store moved to Ikebukuro, Tokyo, and was renamed Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo.

The store is co-located with a Pokémon themed takeaway café called Pikachu Sweets by Pokémon Cafe, the Pokémon GO Lab and a Pokemon Card Station.

History

Pokémon Center Tokyo

The original Pokémon Center Tokyo opened on April 25, 1998^[1] in the Kawasakiteitoku Building, Nihonbashi, Tokyo (where Creatures Inc. had their headquaters at the time^[2]) and was the first ever location. A special Pokémon Center Tokyo Game Boy Light was available as a celebration of the opening and the release of the first Pokémon movie.

In January 2002, to celebrate the opening of Pokémon Center New York, special Pokémon Center Tokyo promo cards where given to customers who made purchases at the store.

On July 16, 2007 the original Pokémon Center Tokyo closed and on July 20, 2007 reopened in Hamamatsuchō, Tokyo.^[3]^[4] To celebrate the opening of the store a special Pokémon Center Pikachu edition Nintendo DS Lite was available to purchase via a lottery system^[5] and those visiting the new store on their birthday were promised a gift if they brought their Nintendo DS and a copy of Pokémon Diamond or Pearl. Also, a LaRousse's Munchlax promo card was given to those making purchases at the store.

As part of the Pokémon 10th Anniversary celebrations, a Pikachu promo card was given to customers between June 16, 2008 and July 31, 2008, depicting Pikachu and an image of the store.

Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo

On December 7, 2014 the second Pokémon Center Tokyo closed, and on December 12, 2014 Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo opened at the Sunshine City mall^[6] in Ikebukuro, Tokyo to replace it.^[7]^[8] Between when the store closure was announced^[9] and closing day, customers were awarded a Moving Pikachu sticker or clear file for purchases made.^[10] In celeration of the opening, shiny Pikachu and Charizard Event Pokémon for Pokémon X, Y, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire were distributed on alternate hours at Pokémon Center stores across the country.^[11] Also those making purchases at Pokémon Centers were awarded with a Mega Tokyo's Pikachu promo card,^[12] and if a qualifying purchase was made they were entered into a Pokémon Center DE Mega Chance raffle. The grand prize was a "Kalos Region Pokémon Mega Stone Complete Set", a set containing the 28 Kalos Mega Stones to be used with the Pokémon Mega Ring toy, the second prize was a set of two commemorative Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo Opening tumblers and the third prize was a Diancite Mega Stone toy.^[13] There was also a range of opening goods and merchandise to buy.^[14]

On December 19, 2019 Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo expanded to include the first Pokémon GO Lab, a Pikachu Sweets by Pokémon Cafe and a new Pokémon Card Station.^[15] These three extra areas are seperate units, on the same floor of the mall as the main store. The Pokémon GO Lab includes life-size statues of characters from the game, along with exclusive Pokémon GO merchandise.^[16] The location is also a Gym in Pokémon GO, and in-game events are planned for the store.^[17] Pikachu Sweets by Pokémon Cafe is a takeaway cafe with a range of Pokémon themed cakes, sweets and coffee as well as a selection of goods and souvenirs.^[18] Pokémon Trading Card Game events are held every day at the purpose-built Pokémon Card Station and a "Pokémon Card Concierge" is on hand to answer any questions about the game.^[19] A new children's play area themed after Pokémon Kids TV and Pichu opened at the same time within the Sunshine City mall in which Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo is based.^[15]

On December 20, 2019 it was announced that the main Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo store would close on January 14, 2020 until Spring 2020 for refurbishment. During this time the Pokémon GO Lab, Pikachu Sweets and the Pokémon Card Station remained open.^[20] The store was originally scheduled to reopen on March 6, 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic this was delayed until June 1, 2020.^[21] A range of celebratory merchandise was made available, themed around Pokémon and trainers gathering in a "peaceful spring park".^[22] Upon reopening, the store's logo was changed to feature Zacian and Pikachu, in reference to Pokémon Sword and Shield, the then current core series games.

From February 14 to February 26, 2023 the store was partially closed (with a full closure on February 27, 2023) so the store could be renovated again.^[23] This time, the store was themed to the Paldea region from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, with a Miraidon statue being added to the store entrance.^[24] The store's logo was also updated to include Miraidon.

Timeline

April 25, 1998 - Pokémon Center Tokyo opens in Nihonbashi, Tokyo
July 20, 2007 - Pokémon Center Tokyo moves to Hamamatsuchō, Tokyo
December 12, 2014 - Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo opens in Ikebukuro, Tokyo
December 19, 2019 - Pokémon GO Lab, Pikachu Sweets by Pokémon Cafe and the Pokémon Card Station open